Beez Neez now Chy Whella - Chagos

Chagos – Fourth Week

Beez Neez now Chy Whella

Big Bear and Pepe Millard

Thu 11 Jul 2019 23:37

Chagos – Fourth Week

Friday the 5th of July. A dull start to the day but the afternoon was bright and sunny. Let’s go over to Passage Island. Oh, Bobby is sitting on the outboard, with that Bear clambered in and our friend and guardian seemed not to understand anything new was going to happen......

Bobby and Bear chatted and they both looked at the camera when asked to do so.

The time came for Bear to lower the engine – more chatter.

The silly bird allowed himself to be launched. Not sure who was more surprised.

Bobby took the opportunity to look underwater for fish, none available so he prepared for take off. By now I was helpless with laughter and assumed he would either fly off or head for his favourite spot up on the towing generator.......

...........neither, he simply settled to come with us. Engine on, as seen by the cooling seawater spout, we set off. I took a minute of video as Bobby looked quite at home as we puttered along. It was only when Bear went to full throttle to get up on the plane (for fuel economy) that Bobby decided to take to the air. Yes, he came with us and flew about overhead as we collected some rubbish.

Quite a sky on our return to Beez. At nine fifteen the heavens opened with full abandon.

Saturday the 6th of July. Grampian Frontier was just outside the pass at right this morning. Later in the pouring rain, we went ashore to help Yolanda and James (Grampian Frontier’s captain) as they moved the rubbish pile to the waters edge. Willy on board the rib had to stay a way off the beach as the low tide was the lowest we had ever seen. Bear ferried stuff out to the rib. All done by half eleven, everyone soaked to the skin we all returned to our vessels for a hot cuppa.

Bobby stood in his usual place while we showered.

A very pretty sky tonight.

Sunday the 7th of July. Yolanda came to see us this morning bearing gifts. A pair of sturdy gloves for me, a bag of fruit, four laminated pictures of the atoll and a gorgeous painting by the lady herself of coconut trees on Diego Garcia, true talent. We were so very touched. Also, meeting someone who is professional and passionate about their jobs (fish protection, conservation and so much more) and wanting to make a difference. We look forward to following Yolanda’s career with real interest. As if on cue Bobby swooped in to land on the outboard engine and of course we showed Yolanda his video ride towards Ile de Pass.

This afternoon Bear filled Beez diesel tank and sealed the toe rail in the hope to once and for all cure our leak. I did a couple of blogs, did my stomps and a few chores. Just four more days here and then we set off for pastures new.

Monday the 8th of July. Late morning we spuddled Ile de Anglaise, half way across the wind grew and by the time we got there we knew we would have a very rough ride back. The beach was gorgeous so we bimbled for a while. We attempted to snorkel, lots of new reefs to explore but the fine sand made the shallows really cloudy and the further out we went the choppier the water.

It was indeed a very wet, lumpy ride back. A few hundred yards before we got back Bobby flew over and landed in his favourite position on the outboard as we drew closer to Beez, we will miss our little friend when we leave.

Our friend tried out the side of Baby Beez, just for a change.

Tuesday the 9th of July. At full discipline after breakfast, Bear changed the girl’s oil, quick dip-stick, and then he changed the filter. Very neatly done and the old oil will be snapped up by someone once we reach Hellville (they always do, beats us, but....). I needed to show equal commitment so I did a pile of laundry and actually got up to date with Chagos blogs. More than I can say looking at the long list from India as far back as.......no, I’m not going to look.

After lunch and games it was Bear’s choice. I would like to go back to the wreck and snorkel. Off we went, leaving Bobby settled on the solar panel for a change.

A massive flock of baby fish beside Beez. Tide was out so after tying Baby Beez to the marker ball, I had Bear show how near the surface this huge wreck is.

Always a joy to see huge numbers of tangs together. We spent a very happy hour.

Our faithful friend was soon in place to watch the showering business...............

Wednesday the 10th of July. My choice today. After chores, lunch and a couple of games, we headed to our beach on South Fouquet. The tide was low and the inner reef was incredibly clear. We swam and then bimbled to the seaward side of the island passing the bush we had stripped the fishing net from.

We passed a couple of fluffy red-footed booby chicks.

We did some wave watching on the outer reef, collected a bit of rubbish, watched crabs by the hundred, turning back as the tide changed.

We walked the length of the sand spit, far longer today at low tide (looking back toward Fouquet). A final dip and back to Beez.

Thursday the 11th of July. Sadly, our final day but more sad when Bear tried to flush the loo and the inlet pipe seemed blocked. Bobby of course was there watching Bear as he sat on the stern platform dealing with ‘the concretions.

Still smiling but what a job.

Before and after. All done by two, I did cheese on toast for lunch. Believe it not the sliced bread we bought back in Hulhudheli, six weeks ago. Yes, dry but unmarked by anything green, it toast like a dream and once the chees had melted made for a delicious change. Time to go for our final visit to our beach on South Fouquet and a snorkel. At one point we were closer to Beez Neez than to Baby Beez on the beach. I found a new friend – a territorial yellow, white and black grouper who tried his best to look mean. I found Christmas tree worms for the first time and Bear had a shark swim by. Back aboard it was time to cut Bear’s hair and beard and get a few jobs done for the off on the morrow. A few games, supper and a New Tricks episode. Time for bed Zebedee.